US JCPOA violation
Iran has urged the United States to immediately stop its violation of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, without any preconditions. The Iranian envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency says Tehran is yet to see enough determination from Washington to meet its JCPOA commitments and lift sanctions after withdrawing from the deal in 2018. Kazem Gharibabadi has told a meeting of the agency’s board of governors that the US and its European allies should not expect Iran to take constructive steps while the sanctions are in force. Gharibabadi has slammed the European parties to the JCPOA for pressing Iran to comply with the deal under such circumstances. He says Britain, France and Germany are trying to portray Iran as the lawbreaker and the US as the victim.
Israel-Gaza plan rejected
The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, has rejected Israel’s “food in return for security” proposal for the besieged Gaza Strip. Mahmoud al-Zahar, a member of the Hamas political bureau said the resistance will never give up its weapons and resort to the style of "begging" Israel. He said the regime’s proposal has been rejected because it is an attempt to barter Israel's security for basic essentials such as food and medicine for Gazans. Al-Zahar was reacting to the Israeli regime’s so-called advanced humanitarian rehabilitation plan for the Gaza Strip. The plan includes economic rehabilitation, security and rebuilding of infrastructure subject to Hamas' commitments to a long-term silence.
British cabinet reshuffle
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has begun reshuffling his cabinet, removing those ministers who have been seen as underperforming. Downing Street confirmed that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland and Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick have left. Williamson was highly criticized for his handling of pandemic-related school closures. Dominic Raab has also been axed as Foreign Secretary and is appointed Justice Secretary, replacing Buckland. Raab who came under fire for the handling of the Afghanistan crisis has been given an additional role of deputy premier. A spokesman for Johnson said the goal is to put a team in place to deliver on public priorities. The last major reshuffle came in February 2020 when Johnson axed around half of his cabinet colleagues following Brexit.